Nathan Grant tried not to let Elizabeth Thornton get to him. He had made a promise to himself long ago not to let another woman set him up for disappointment. But She was different, and not just because she was the widow of a mountie, and not because she was the widow of a friend. So often he had wondered what would have happened if he had taken the posting at Coal Valley.

Fort Clay, Ten Years Ago

Nathan rode fast through the gates of Fort Clay, leaping off his horse and running into his captains office. Inside the office was Jack Thornton, standing at attention before his superior.

"Wait outside Grant", the captain simply said. Nathan nodded and retreated. If Thornton's face was anything to go by then he didn't want to be in there when he blew. And blow he did, right out the office and past Nathan. As he passed he shot Nathan an almost pleading look.

"What was that about, Captain", he asked, looking back at the path Jack had blazed out to his bunk.

"Nothing that concerns you Grant, but this does", he said, tossing a wanted poster to Nathan. Nathan cringed at the face of the man on the poster.

"If you remember Captain, I turned down the mission because it was a conflict of interest, and you agreed.."

"We found him, Grant".

"Thank you sir", he said, his sigh of relief turning to worry as he watched the captain's face turn sour.

"I wish it was good news Grant. Your sister was with him. I'm sorry to say she didn't make it".

Nathan's heart dropped like a rock as the news hit him.

"I called you in here to not only .give you this news, but also to inform you that your sister left behind a six month old daughter. As the closest of kin she is now your responsibility, should you choose to take her".

Nathan struggled to organize the information he just learned. His sister, dead. His niece, his responsibility. What was he going to choose.

"What would happen if I choose to give her up"?

"She would be put into an orphanage, and you would be sent to Coal Valley, south of Regina, to be the Constable for the area. But, if you choose to take her, you'll get one years leave to stabilize your new life and get your affairs in order".

Present Day

Nathan never regretted the decision to take Allie in. She had become his world the moment she first smiled at him. And he never once regretted the decision.

He was passing Rosemary's dress shop when he saw Elizabeth walking towards him, her beautiful face confused and upset. What she said next rocked him to his core.

"Did you know Jack"?

Nathan quietly closed the door to his office, Elizabeth's stare bored into him like a drill. He didn't look away as he hung up his hat.

"Nathan" she began, taking a breath, "I need to know, did you know Jack".

He nodded. "I did".

Elizabeth sunk into the chair, breathless.

"You lied to me", she whispered, "the first day we met you lied to my face".

"I did, and I apologize for that".

"Then why did you do it"?

"Because I didn't think it would matter. I never expected to fall in love with you".

"It matters to me, Nathan Grant".

"I know, and I should have considered your feelings, but I didn't, and I could never be sorry enough for that".

Elizabeth slumped into the chair, her hand covering her quivering mouth. She didn't need this. She didn't need another reminder of Jack. But Nathan wasn't Jack. She was well aware of this as he knelt and took her free hand.

"I could never be sorry enough for this, Elizabeth. But if you're able to find time, there is more that I need to tell you, to be completely open and honest. Because you deserve that".

Elizabeth could only nod, not trusting her voice at the moment.

Rosemary and Elizabeth

"So...Nathan knew Jack"?

Elizabeth nodded, sipping her tea.

"You poor thing. Nathan should be ashamed of himself".

"Don't be so hard on him, Rosemary. I mean, it's not like he was under any obligation to tell me. I mean Jack never told me about any of his friends".

"But he did, Elizabeth, he knew Jack was your husband, and as a love interest he should have been honest with you".

"Well, this Saturday we're going to take time and he's going to tell me everything".

"Alone"?

Elizabeth giggled.

"I'm going to take Jack with me, we'll be fine".

Rosemary smirked but immediately checked herself. It seemed just like a family.

Saturday

Saturday morning Nathan rolled up in a black carriage, one Elizabeth had never seen before. She marveled at it as Nathan picked up the basket and blanket she had packed for lunch.

"Where on earth did you find this, Nathan"?

"At the livery. Matthew said it had been there for so long he didn't even know who it belonged to, said i could keep it if I wanted".

"Will you", she asked, thinking how perfectly it fit Nathan...no, she couldn't think about Nathan with a family, because she always pictured herself in that fantasy right alongside him.

"I don't think so. Allie and i get by just fine with Newton".

"Take my advice Nathan. Keep it. She's a growing young woman who needs the attention. Besides, she'll love riding in it".

Nathan harumphed at the thought, making Elizabeth laugh.

"You are such a father".

"What's that supposed to mean"?

"You're acting the same way my father did when my sister went on her first walk with a boy".

Nathan rolled his eyes and held out his hand.

"Well, Mrs. Thornton, I guess it's a good thing this isn't a walk".

Taking his hand, Elizabeth stepped into the carriage, followed by Nathan handing her Jack, who was smiling widely, which made Elizabeth smile.

"So, how did you meet Jack"?

Fort Clay, 11 years ago

Jack Thornton rode into the clearing where three whiskey runners were camped. Their wagon was empty, but he knew that all too soon it would be full of more gut-rot. It was a vile concoction made up of whatever stuff the bootleggers could get their hands on.

The startled men panicked and drew their guns on Jack, who took down one with his revolver, which he had already drawn. The third man took out second with a solid blow to the head.

"Damn it Jack, what are you doing here"?

"Well, I thought I was helping you out Nate".

"I was undercover you idiot, now how am I supposed to find their hideout".

Jack grinned.

"A couple days ago we caught this little weasel trying to unload his stock in front of the fort, claiming it was this brand new miracle elixir. Needless to say he spilled his guts the moment I grabbed him. I'm here to take you back. I thought you might wanna join in the raid".

Nathan and Elizabeth

"So you and Jack were friends"?

"For the most part. We weren't bosom buddies or anything, but we always got along. Honestly, he was always too wild of spirit for me to handle. Guess it's a good thing he found someone who could go toe to toe with him".

"Wait, if you knew Jack at Fort Clay, then you must have known about him being assigned to Hope Valley".

Nathan grinned.

"I might be responsible for that".

"How"?

"Jack's assignment came around the time of my sister's death. I was given the option of taking in Allie, or giving her up and coming here instead of Jack".

This news hit Elizabeth in the gut.

"So...if you had given up Allie...it would have been you"?

"I don't think you would have fallen for me then. I was in a bad place, romance-wise".

Elizabeth pursed her lips thoughtfully.

"I'm sorry if I made this awkward, Nathan".

"You didn't, but I might"?

"Why is that"?

"Well, like I said, Nathan and I weren't close friends...and we parted ways in a bad way".

Fort Clay

"Well"?

"Well what"?

"Am I going to that backwoods settlement or what".

Nathan hardly registered what Jack was saying as he packed his bag. He hoped he was making the right decision.

"I never told Jack why he was being assigned Coal Valley as a post, at the time it didn't matter. But I know I made the right choice".

"You did, and I know that Jack would respect that choice. By the way, where exactly are you taking Constable Grant"?

"Well, Bill gave me permission to take you to lunch on his land".

"The land you're buying"? She asked, her bright eyes widening with the smile on her face.

"Was going to".

"What", she exclaimed, her smile turning down, "what happened".

"Well, in the spirit of honesty, it was you rejecting me".

"Nathan I...I'm sorry. I didn't realize how much you invested in me emotionally".

"It's not just emotional. I choose to love you everyday. I can't help it. I tried to ignore it at first. But after the storm, and almost losing you I decided I couldn't live my life without you. I decided that I wasn't going to let the fear of losing you affect how I feel about you".

Elizabeth stared in shock. She truly had no idea how much of an impact she had made on Nathan's life since day one. She was beginning to realize just how much she meant to him.

"Nathan, you shouldn't let me stop you from building a home for you and Allie".

"If I buy it, I want it to be because I want it for Allie".

"Do you"?

"What"?

"Do you want it for Allie".

"Of course".

"Then buy it. Build that home for Allie".

"And what about you"?

"What about me"?

You already know how I feel Elizabeth, and if you decide to stay with Lucas, and i build that home for Allie, then we'll have to see each other every day".

"Nathan we're all adults, we will deal with it".

Nathan looked down and nodded.

"Look, I have one more thing to show you", he said, handing Elizabeth a folded letter. As she read it her heart sunk. and as she crushed the letter in her fist she looked at Nathan coldly.

"Take me home Nathan".